Najib wants Asean to deal with impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution

MANILA: Malaysia wants Asean nations to come up with a blue print to deal with the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the region.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak proposed the establishment of the East Asia Vision Group III to monitor the impact of the revolution on the economies of the said nations, and outline measures to deal with the situation.

He said the proposal was made during the Asean Plus Three Summit here yesterday, attended by Asean leaders, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Chinese Prime Minister Le Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Speaking at a press conference with Malaysian journalists at the end of the 31st Asean Summit and Related Meetings on Tuesday, Najib said Asean was increasingly valued by world and regional powers for its strategic importance and position.

United States President Donald Trump was among those who attended the summit.

Najib said even China was prepared to reduce tensions in the South China Sea over territorial disputes, and expressed its willingness to start negotiations to finalise the Code Of Conduct framework next year.